Geology Site Account
London Borough of Redbridge, ILFORD, The Ilford brick pits, mammoths of Ilford, TQ43718609, Proposed Local Geological Site
Locate The Ilford brick pits, mammoths of Ilford on map
Recent research has revealed that the mammoths of Ilford (at least from Uphall Pit) are not, as was thought, an early form of the familiar woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, but a late and slightly smaller form of the ‘steppe mammoth’ Mammuthus trogontherii. This conclusion has been reached by studying the molar teeth which have fewer enamel ‘plates’ and are therefore more ‘primitive’ - something that did not go unnoticed by Antonio Brady. It is thought that this particular form of steppe mammoth, now often referred to as the ‘Ilford’ mammoth, was unique to this interglacial stage (the MIS 7 interglacial) and may have been the only type of mammoth living in Britain at this time; the more specialised woolly mammoth, with teeth adapted to cope with abrasive grasses common in colder climates, not arriving in Britain until later.
Reference: Owen 1846 (p.245 & 248), Woodward 1864, Davis 1874, Walker 1880, Seeley 1891 (p.189-190), Redknap & Currant 1985, Jackson 1986, Hinton 1900, Bridgland 1994 (p.256-260), Gibbard 1994 (p.77-80), Lister & Bahn 1995, George 1997b, George 1998, George 1999, George 2000, Lister & Sher 2001, Scott 2007.
Geology Site Map
Locate The Ilford brick pits, mammoths of Ilford on map
Recent research has revealed that the mammoths of Ilford (at least from Uphall Pit) are not, as was thought, an early form of the familiar woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, but a late and slightly smaller form of the ‘steppe mammoth’ Mammuthus trogontherii. This conclusion has been reached by studying the molar teeth which have fewer enamel ‘plates’ and are therefore more ‘primitive’ - something that did not go unnoticed by Antonio Brady. It is thought that this particular form of steppe mammoth, now often referred to as the ‘Ilford’ mammoth, was unique to this interglacial stage (the MIS 7 interglacial) and may have been the only type of mammoth living in Britain at this time; the more specialised woolly mammoth, with teeth adapted to cope with abrasive grasses common in colder climates, not arriving in Britain until later.
Ilford is one of the world’s foremost sites for fossils but, apart from the plaque in Ilford Lane and the items in Redbridge Museum, there is nothing here to commemorate this. An initiative known as ‘The Ilford Mammoth Project’ is aiming to change this by erecting a life-size bronze sculpture of a mammoth on the Eastern Roundabout (Griggs Approach). The project is supported by several prominent names in the world of palaeontology and a team of enthusiasts is currently engaged in raising the funds and obtaining the necessary permission. Further information can be found at www.theimponline.com.
The skull of a woolly rhinoceros from the Uphall Pit, Ilford. The engraving is from the Catalogue of the Brady Collection. Illustration: Essex Record Office.
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Reference: Owen 1846 (p.245 & 248), Woodward 1864, Davis 1874, Walker 1880, Seeley 1891 (p.189-190), Redknap & Currant 1985, Jackson 1986, Hinton 1900, Bridgland 1994 (p.256-260), Gibbard 1994 (p.77-80), Lister & Bahn 1995, George 1997b, George 1998, George 1999, George 2000, Lister & Sher 2001, Scott 2007.
Geology Site Map